The Zenit star’s room at the Italy training ground was subjected to a dawn raid before the tournament and he was handed a formal notice of investigation for match-fixing.

However, today the whole case was shelved by prosecutors due to a lack of evidence. Criscito was philosophical, but his agent is furious.

“Criscito didn’t get the chance to take part in the Euros because of that notice of investigation, as many people ignorantly forgot that a notice is not a sign of guilt,” slammed Andrea D’Amico on Radio CRC.

“It would’ve been better if there had been some support, especially considering the lad’s character.

“After all, the justice system is based on the principle that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

“Now he is happy because he saw all of his statements confirmed. The sporting justice system has little to do with this whole affair, because Mimmo did not break any kind of ethical code.

“The entire investigation was based on one photograph. There were no wiretapped phonecalls, no interceptions, nothing. There must be better protection for players.”

Criscito was dragged into the investigation when he was pictured at a restaurant with one of the betting syndicate members.

He maintained this person was introduced to him along with numerous others when a group of fans was at the restaurant, so he had no idea who it was and they only said hello.